NAmTrans News

Updates from the North American Center of Excellence for Transportation Equipment

North Country Welding Academy Celebrates Another Successful Class of Graduates

On Tuesday, September 29, we proudly celebrated the successful completion of another North Country Welding Academy. Eleven students began the program on September 8, and all eleven completed the academy with at least one credential, including seven who earned their NC3 certification.

This class was especially memorable as it marked the first welding academy led by Bill Giovacco, the new welding instructor with the Institute for Advanced Manufacturing (IAM) at Clinton Community College. Throughout the intensive 120-hour program, students combined classroom learning with hands-on shop training, developing valuable skills in welding safety, blueprint reading, fabrication measurements, MIG welding, Flux Core Arc Welding, welding inspection, and equipment troubleshooting.

Most importantly, these graduates are leaving the program with in-demand skills that can open doors to rewarding careers in manufacturing and the skilled trades.

A special thank you to Senator Jeremy Cooney, the New York State Department of Labor, Alstom, and IAM for their continued investment in workforce development. Their support helps make programs like this possible, creating new opportunities for residents across the North Country and strengthening the region's manufacturing workforce for years to come.

NAmTrans Heads to Chicago for APTA TRANSform & EXPO 2026

NAmTrans is proud to once again exhibit at the 2026 American Public Transportation Association (APTA) TRANSform Conference & EXPO, taking place October 4-7 at the McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago, Illinois.

As one of the public transportation industry's premier events, APTA TRANSform brings together transit leaders, policymakers, government agencies, manufacturers, and suppliers from across North America and around the world. The conference features networking opportunities, technical tours, workshops, and educational sessions focused on emerging technologies, innovative funding strategies, safety, security, and workforce development.

This year's event is especially notable as TRANSform will once again be held alongside EXPO, APTA's triennial trade show and the largest public transportation exposition of its kind. With more than 800 exhibitors, EXPO offers attendees the opportunity to explore cutting-edge technologies, innovative mobility solutions, and the future of public transit.

NAmTrans looks forward to showcasing the capabilities of our member companies and highlighting the important role the North Country transportation manufacturing sector plays in the global transit industry. Events like APTA TRANSform & EXPO provide valuable opportunities to connect with customers, partners, and industry leaders from around the world.

If you plan to attend, please contact Brandon Menard below to schedule a meeting or visit Booth #370.

We'll see you in the Windy City!

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NAmTrans Brings North Country Transportation Priorities to Albany

North Country Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Garry Douglas and NAmTrans Director Brandon Menard participated in the New York State Senate Transportation Committee Legislative Roundtable in Albany.

As New York develops its next five-year transportation plan, conversations like these are critical. The roundtable provided an opportunity to share the North Country's transportation priorities, including Amtrak service, rail infrastructure, and airport needs, while also hearing directly from communities across the state.

A special thank you to Senate Transportation Committee Chair Jeremy Cooney for inviting us to participate in these discussions. Senator Cooney has been a strong advocate for transportation and a valued supporter of NAmTrans' mission. We appreciate his continued leadership on these important issues.

Preparing the Next Generation of Industry Professionals

NAmTrans Director Brandon Menard was proud to participate in the Global Supply Chain Management, Management, and International Business Career Panel at SUNY Plattsburgh.

It was a pleasure to join fellow panelists from Fastenal, Alstom, the Institute for Advanced Manufacturing at Clinton Community College, Trans-Border Global Freight Systems, Inc., and the Adirondack Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) to discuss transportation manufacturing, supply chains, and career opportunities in the North Country.

Thank you to the students who attended and engaged with thoughtful questions. A special thank you to SUNY Plattsburgh and Sara Ratliff, SBE Coordinator, for organizing this outstanding event.

The future of our industry is bright, and it was inspiring to connect with so many students eager to learn and explore opportunities in the field.

CLUSTER NEWS

Alstom wins landmark contract to renew VIA Rail Canada’s long-distance fleet

Alstom has signed an agreement with VIA Rail Canada to design, engineer, manufacture and support a new Long Distance, Regional and Remote (LDRR) fleet that will shape the future of passenger rail mobility across Canada.

The agreement includes the delivery of 313 Adessia railway cars, valued at approximately C$4 billion, and a 15-year Technical Support and Spare Parts Supply Agreement (TSSSA) valued at nearly C$700 million, with the overall agreement representing a total value of C$4.7 billion (approximately 3 billion euro).

The new fleet will replace VIA Rail Canada’s existing long-distance fleet and will serve eight major routes connecting nearly 400 communities across the country, including services linking Montréal, Halifax, Gaspé, Jonquière, Senneterre, Toronto, Vancouver, Churchill, Prince Rupert, Jasper, Sudbury and White River.

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BETA Launches North Carolina eIPP Operations to Build a Scalable Model for Rural Healthcare Access

BETA Technologies, Inc. announced the launch of flight operations in North Carolina’s eLIFT program under the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (“U.S. DOT”) and Federal Aviation Administration’s (“FAA”) eVTOL Integration Pilot Program (“eIPP”).

Since September 17, BETA has conducted all-electric operations, including a historic flyover of the Wright Brothers National Memorial and simulated deliveries of essential healthcare cargo to rural medical access points, including a deployable medical field tent and supplies.

The operations will demonstrate how lower-cost, all-electric aviation can reduce the time required to deliver critical supplies, strengthen the resilience of regional healthcare networks, and improve access to care across the state.

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Heart Aerospace Unveils ES-36 with JSX Purchase Agreement for Up to 100 Aircraft

Heart Aerospace unveiled the ES-36, a 36-seat hybrid-electric regional airliner and the company’s production aircraft. Alongside the unveiling, award-winning air carrier JSX announced a deposit-backed purchase agreement for 50 ES-36 aircraft, with purchase rights for 50 more. The agreement deepens the companies’ existing partnership and advances JSX’s plans for a next-generation regional fleet designed to expand time-saving nonstop connectivity from convenient community airports.

The ES-36 evolves the previously announced Heart ES-30 with a simplified two-nacelle airframe and series-hybrid electric propulsion architecture designed to further improve the Heart production aircraft’s operating cost advantage over legacy regional aircraft.

MRS Logística invests US$254M to strengthen Brazil’s logistics infrastructure and renew its fleet with Wabtec

MRS Logística has taken another decisive step toward fulfilling its modernization and sustainability commitments by signing an agreement worth approximately US$254 million (R$1.3 billion) with Wabtec.

The investment, which will be made in phases through 2032, includes the acquisition of new advanced-technology locomotives, spare parts and specialized maintenance services.

The agreement advances the company’s strategic plan for fleet renewal and the decarbonization of its operations, reaffirming its commitment to more efficient, safe and sustainable logistics in Brazil.

Camso agricultural tracks, systems & wheels are becoming MICHELIN

For decades, Camso agricultural tracks, systems and wheels have helped farmers tackle challenging field conditions while supporting productivity and help protecting their soil. Today, that expertise enters a new chapter.

As of September 2026, Camso agricultural tracks, systems and wheels will progressively transition to the MICHELIN brand. This evolution reflects Michelin's long-term commitment to agriculture and its ambition to provide a more unified portfolio of solutions for farmers around the world.

While the branding is changing, the products farmers rely on remain the same.

Business Spotlight: UFirst Federal Credit Union

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ISO 9001 Internal Internal Auditor Training

When: November 18 & 19 from 8:30AM-4:30PM

Where: 109 Industrial Blvd., Plattsburgh, NY 12901

You’re invited to CITEC Consulting Group's two-day ISO 9001 Internal Auditor Training in Plattsburgh this November. This in-person training will help you understand the updated requirements while building the practical skills needed to plan, conduct, and document effective internal audits.

You’ll leave with skills that will help strengthen your internal audit process and prepare for the transition ahead. Eligible rural New York manufacturers may also qualify for up to $3,000 in USDA-supported funding toward ISO 9001 or AS9100 certification costs.

Registration is now open. Learn more and reserve your spot below!

Upcoming New York Manufacturing & Transit Events

October 7, 2026

2026 ‘Improving Passenger Rail In The Empire Corridor' Symposium | Downtown Rochester

A one-day symposium designed to bring together business and community leaders, government representatives, tourism and hospitality industry members, rail industry suppliers and rail advocates to learn about New York State’s passenger rail improvement initiatives and what accelerated implementation could do for Upstate New York.

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October 27–28, 2026

New York State Innovation Summit 2026 | Buffalo, NY

Connect with innovators, industry leaders, and technology experts as they showcase

emerging technologies and collaborate on New York's future growth.

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